The fear of fuel scarcity has spread across Lagos as queues returned to petrol stations in some parts of the metropolis yesterday.
In Abuja, the queues, which have lingered for some days, continued.
In both cities, black marketers flooded major highways with petrol in cans, selling to motorists on the roadside for as much as N300 and N400.
In Lagos, vehicles lined up at Ajah, Lekki, Victoria Island and the mainland areas in search of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.
It was the same situation in Sango-Ota, Mowe, Ibafo and Arepo axis on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The situation may worsen if the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) carries out its threat to withdraw haulage service should the Federal Government not address rising operational costs.
However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited said there was no need for panic buying.
Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Garba Deen Muhammad, said in a statement: “The NNPC Ltd wishes to assure the public that the company has sufficient PMS stock to meet the needs of Nigerians.
“The public is, therefore, advised not to engage in panic buying of petrol; and to ignore all rumours that may suggest otherwise.
“In line with the existing laws of the land, NNPC Ltd. is deeply committed to ensuring energy security for the country.”
